Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-13

I'd EDITION.
Latest 4bleglanS to The Star.
| MR. TODD AND HIS ACCUSERS.
The Scandal in the Prcsbyterian
Church ut MaMaSsas.
| rn1 OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION BEGUN TO-DAY
TIE SERVICES AT MR. TODDs CHURCH YESTERDAY
He DECLINES TO RESIGN UNDER FIRE AND INVITES
| AN NvRsTIaATYoN-How HE PROPOSES 10 vINDE
CATE HnasELf-rHR coLoRzD WITNESS STICKS Tc
MS sroRY.
Special Dispatch to THE EVENING STAR.
| MANASSAS, Va, June 13-This growing little
town, built up entirely since the close Of the civil
war; is still considerably agitated over the church
scandal, so-called. The people Of this community,
with the exception Of the Immediate friends and
the personal enemies OF Rev. Mr. Todd, do not feel
| that they have any direct interest In the affair
The alleged misconduct was in the vicinity Of
Nokesville, where Mr.. Todd ministers to another
congregation. He is also pastor OF the PresDy.
terrain church here, and resides in this town with
his family. The position OF the citizens generally
here, as stated by prominent citizen to TEE STAB
| representative, Is as follows: ave are not re-
| sponsible for any misconduct on the part Of the
people OF Nokesvile and vicinity, nor do we intend
| to be held accountable for their shortcOm.
ingA But we do feel deep interest
| in this matter, and we are determined to
slit 1t 70 the bottom, because II MI Todd Is guilty
tn IN C1r rhpre
Is great deal OF Indignation here at recent pub
LEGATION, which apparently sought to convey the
that this act with which Mr. Todd is charged oc.
CURED In our community. It was about twelve
miles from here, and we have nothing TO do with
the morals OF those people. For our own COM
munity we have just as many good, honest, true
states." '''' ~ ''1"" 'D' w. '''' ~ ''' 'D''''
DIVIDED COMMUNITY.
The community hereis divided into two factions
| on this subject, the adherents of the minister
being known as Toddites and his opponents as
anti-Toddites. The minister certainly has some
devoted friends, and he has some violent, uncOm-
promising enemies. About five years ago Mr..
or the females OF his flock. That charge was met
AMI denied, but not to the satisfaction OF all the
church at the time on the ground that they could
not acquit the minister Of the charge against him.
Those who believed the minister guilty OF the
former charge were the more ready to listen to
this latest accusation against him.
YESTERDAYS SERVICES AT Mr.. ToDD's CHURCH.
At the usual hour OF Sunday morning service
| the bell OF the Presbyterian church yesterday
summoned the worshipers to that edi1ce; but,
with the exception OF the devoted adherents OF
Mr.. Todd. very little interest was manifested in
| the services This was, perhaps, chiefly due to q
general knowledge Of the fact that Mr.. Todd would
not occupy the pulpit. The services had not begun
when THE STAR representative entered the little
stone church and took q seat. There were not ex-
ceeding sixty persons, including children In the
church. Mr.. TODD occupied a seat in the pulpit,
beside Rev. Mr.. McLa1n, and, while the latter
turned over the leaves OF Bible, MIR. Todd shot
keen glance at every newcomer He rectned IN
an easy attitude in large cushioned chair, and
portOned, with full and horid face; hair well
and mustac6e and goatee dyed as black as
eyes are very light. and the very black beard made
erence either direct indirect, made to the scan-
DIAL during the services, was an announcement by
Mr. Todd himself just before McLain read his ser.
clerical coat buttOned nearly to the throat, in a
firm voice the accused minister said:
"There will be q session OF this church held In
this building at 10 O'Clock tomorrow (Monday)
morning. All who have anything to say against
the good name OF the pastor Of this church, or who
have any charges to make affecting his good name
and character, are invited to appear. Their testi.
mOny will be carefully considered and thoroughly
investigated." He repeated the announcement,
When the benedicti0n was pronounced about
hall the congregation left the church, but the
other half, consisting OF males and females pressed
Mr.. Todd was standing. While not an allusion was
made to the 1mputat1On upon the good name or the
WAS Sp that those who had
their mistaken faith in him by very cordial grasps
OF the hands and numerous expressions OF kindly
feeling.
TALK WITH Mr. TODD.
After the service THE STAR correspondent had a
talk with Mr.. Todd. He received the reporter very
pleasantly, saying he had nothing to conceal
'This charge" he continued, sis the flimsest &C
cusation ever made against q man. Itwas trumped
up by my enemies to drive Inc away, and they
made tool OF the negro Robert Turner, who was
paid to make the affidavit. And can prove that
nj w ns that
talked to his wife, ana She confessed that Turner
received money for making the affidavit against
an
discipline some OF my congregation. About q
dozen OF them were expelled, ana since then they
the work Of my enemies. You see am the only
Northern preacher In the county"
"Do you mean there Is sectional or political ami
mostly against your" asked The STAR reporter, in
"Weii, only to this extent" answered Mr.. Todd.
Some OF my strongest friends members Of my
class Of ignorant people whom we call poor white
trash They have never been able to Tree them
selves VI pIcJuoACcs auu Cucy aTc uSdlnSL me.
Then, though not pronounced temperance man,
! had the bar-ro0ms here closed on Sundays.
When came here they were In full blast on SUM-
days, and put stop to that. Thus I incurred
the enmtty OF the liquor interests. The three ele-
menrS who are endeavOring to drive me away are
the persons whom l expelled from my church and
their immediate relations; the ignorant class who
are preJudiced against Inc, and the liquor inter.
est. My congregation Is made up about equally Of
Northern and southern people, and there is no
division among them. They stand sOlidly and
earnestly by my side. To show you the object OF
all this fuss, MIR. HOrnbaker, who procured the al
fidavits sent lawyer TO me yesterday proposing
agree TO leave Manassas, and Offering TO give me
my own time TO leave In after should resign NY
paStOrate. But he has mistaken his man. am
not to be frightened or run away" said MIR, Todd,
as his eyes flashed with O spirit OF
determination that indicated he was in earnest.
II am now going" continued Mr.. Todd, "up to the
NokesyiIle church to preach there this afternoon.
ii attempted to preach there again. Now am
going TO see II they will mob me-" and once more
hts c0untenance flashed forth spirit OF defiance.
WHY NR. MCLAN OFFICIATED.
Mr.. Todd said he had requested Rev. Mr. Nc
Lain to ofriciate for him yesterday. ''There were
some threats made here" he added 81 was not
afraid but there was some u9easiness among the
congregation, and so invited Mr. McLain TO take
the pulpit today"
In regard to the session Of the church appointed
for to-day, MI Todd said: SIT will be only q Dre.
hminary hearing to decide whether or not there is
anything for the presbytery TO Investigate. do
not believe those people will appear. Their plan
has been to brighten me away, and failing in tnut
charge"
s.Ii they do not appear7n suggested the renorter